More on Agbeko-Perez

Photo: Big Joe Miranda

Dominating IBF bantamweight champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko and No. 1-Ranked mandatory challenger Yonnhy “El Colombiano” Perez participated in a frightful media workout at Perez’s gym in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., just nine days before their crucial world title fight on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31, LIVE on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) in the first boxing match at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Agbeko crashed Perez’s training camp at the Santa Fe Springs Activity Center, giving the media a glimpse into how the two 118-pounders are preparing for the world title showdown. The fighters worked out, talked some trash and got into the spirit of Halloween a week early by posing together at a haunted house inside the Activity Center. Photos: Big Joe Miranda

Photo: Big Joe Miranda

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A second world title will be up for grabs when World Boxing Council No. 1-ranked lightweight Antonio “Tony” DeMarco faces former World Boxing Association lightweight champion Jose Alfaro for the WBC lightweight interim championship in the co-feature. Both fights are scheduled for 12 rounds and will be televised live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets to the event—all priced at $200 each, plus tax and fees—are on sale now and can be purchased through the Treasure Island box office or by calling (800) 392-1999 or (702) 894-7723. The event will be staged in the Treasure Island Ballroom. Don King Productions and Treasure Island will present the event. Agbeko vs. Perez and DeMarco vs. Alfaro are presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions.

JOSEPH KING KONG AGBEKO: “I’m going to be No. 1 pound-for-pound. Just get ready for me because I’m coming.

“I don’t think the will go 12 rounds. Yonnhy is a strong fighter. But, when you become a champion, everyone thinks about beating you. He’s a great fighter, but I don’t think he has what it take to beat me or go 12 rounds.

“I enjoy fighting the best fighters. You cannot beat a cheap boxer and become the best. Yonnhy is the best challenger, and I need to beat him to become the best.

“I like Yonnhy, he’s a nice guy. Not like Vic Darchinyan. He’s come to my fights before, but that doesn’t mean I won’t beat him.

“Yonnhy may win the WBA, WBC or WBO, but he won’t win the IBF. I’m going to be the champion until I leave this division.

“He’s going to thank me for showing him the light after I beat him.

“I’m the only one that can beat him. After that, I’m going to beat the rest of the bantamweights.

“I’m going to knock him out. It’s going to be the prettiest fight of my life.

“King Kong is going to beat Yonnhy Perez and all of the bantamweights. I’m going to prove I’m the one and only King Kong, and then I’ll beat the rest.

“I’m always ready for anything he’ll bring. I don’t study tapes as much because a fighter can change styles. You have to be ready for everything.

“After I beat Yonnhy, there’s this coward in Japan named Hozumi (Hasegawa, the WBC bantamweight champion) I want to beat.

“I think he’s the best challenger for me right now. After him, I’ll beat the rest.

“I’m representing Africa. It’s my duty to defend the good name of Ghana with a win. We’ve had great champions before and I will continue that.

“Joshua (Clottey) and I always give each other advice. We are very good friends and I’m sure he’ll be there for my fight.

“This could be the fight of the year.

“God chose me to be King Kong. When I was born, my dad gave me the name. That’s why I wanted to become a world champion. I was destined for greatness. This name was a message from God.

ADAMA EDDY, Agbeko’s Trainer: “Everything is going well. He knows this is his job. He doesn’t make my job very hard. I wake up and he’s already gone and training.

“He knows his job. Now, we’re just planning for the fight.”

YONNHY PEREZ: “Nobody expects the guys who are climbing up the ladder to win. People always expect it to be the guys at the top. I really don’t care what people think about my chances in this fight. I’m going up the ladder and I’m going to win.

“It’s very exciting for me to be fighting in Vegas. I’m very motivated for this fight, but I’m even more motivated because the fight is in Las Vegas.

“When I was growing up, we always talked about fighting in Las Vegas for a world title. It was just a dream of mine. Now, it’s amazing that the dream is becoming a reality.

“I expect the best out of Agbeko. I know he’s a great champion and he’ll come prepared. I hope he comes 100 percent so we can give the fans the very best.

“It’s an honor and a huge responsibility fighting for my fans in Colombia. Everyone in Colombia thinks a lot of me and expects me to pull this off. The media in Colombia cover me and this fight non-stop. I feel a lot of pressure to represent them and win.

“It’s a dream for me to go back to Colombia and fight with a world title. But, I have to win that title first.”

DANNY ZAMORA, Perez’s Trainer: “It’s hard to keep him out of the gym. He’s always eager to get in there and train. This guy wakes up at 4 a.m. to run every single day. He’s a work horse.

“He has no problems making 118 (pounds). After this, we want to unify the titles. I expect him to stay at 118 for the rest of his career.

“This guy eats bags of vanilla cream cookies and still has no problem making weight.”